NATURAL GREAT PERFECTION - DZOGCHEN TEACHINGS & VAJRA SONGS - NYOSHUL KHENPO & LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING - B+

I related well to Chapter 7, finding it helpful. The picture on page 135 of the tiny show pigeon reminded me of my Australian wild-pets - the pigeons that lived in the yard/city and chose our yard as their daytime living zone. That definitely caught my interest. The penultimate verse on page 145 in chapter 11 also stood out. Page 162's lineage was useful.

I found the book overall to be a very effective read in the way of opening the mind to understand things already partly comprehended & confirming things that 'seemed' to be...

THE RH FACTOR - RICK HUTCHINS

RATING - B-

The first few and last few stories in this multi-story collective stood out as the strongest. While they all contained well-written material, a few were somewhat gruesome or fantastically unreal. Luckily, the worst of the gruesome ones do come with warnings - and allow the reader to skip the worst sentances and then get back into the storyline.

Definitely some material for thought provocation, several ideas worth further consideration hidden behind the fiction. I am not personally a fan of fiction, and rarely read it these days, but I would reccommend this collection to those who are interested in fiction. Rick-fans may be dissappointed to find only ONE reference to honysuckle in this collective....

MAGIC DANCE - THE DISPLAY OF THE SELF-NATURE OF THE FIVE WISDOM DAKINIS - THINLEY NORBU

RATING: B+

This reccommended-to-me book expanded my current understanding. The death-life sequence on pages 9-10 is very useful. The poem on page 61 contains much to explore and investigate. Exploring the subject of tradition leads me to believe that I was not born into one that I could belong to, but an alien tradition in comparison to former lives.

This book is at the right level to make me fall deeper into know-mind, but cannot be read in a hurry as there is too much to contemplate and analyze en route.

HOW TO PRACTICE - THE WAY TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE - HHDL

RATING: B-

In this book, HHDL details the path of learning the Buddhist teachings of any tradition from square one through to completion. I have read this book before, as a library loan, but now I have my own copy.

The list on page 53 is helpful for a short daily practice in preparation for death. I find the latter chapters to be the most informative - along with the complete set of practices 'in order' - so one can jump in where one feels comfortable.

This is a good book to read if you are uncertain of what stage you are already at due to having made some progress in past lives, or if you are a beginner looking for a step by step guide.

HINTING AT DZOGCHEN-A COMPENDIUM OF TEACHINGS BY TSOKNYI RINPOCHE - LOTSAWA TONY DUFF

RATING: A-

After a slow and tough start to the book, part 1.2 began to become much more helpful, leading to huge chunks of new views on old topics throughout the remainder of the book. It seemed right for my level, being informative on what I half/three-quarters know. Page 109's flower passage became a temporary meditation practice for me. In the latter half of the book, there was a lot of information that helped clarify certain topics I was a bit hazy on or 'almost' sure about - but needed to double check. There was also a new view on emptiness for me to work with.

This is the first of two books of Tsoknyi Rinpoche teachings that I bought late last year - the other still sits in my pile of circa 25-30 'yet-to-reads' and will be read hopefully by the close of 2012. I would reccommend this book to Mahayana practitioners searching for a different approach, who benefit from observing familiar subjects from as many aspects as possible to clarify their own understanding.

LARGE IN TIME - RICK HUTCHINS

RATING: B

SURPRISE! I actually read a poetry book, rather than a Buddhist studies/philosophy book or a travel guide! My idea has been to indulge in a few books that various friends of mine have written from time to time, and I recently selected a couple of Rick's to 'try out'. This is the first.

There is definitely a wide selection both in style and subject matter. I could not help but notice the word 'honeysuckle' popping up in several of the poems. My favorite verses include 'Take Your Medicine', 'Especially Valerie', and a few of the untitled ones.

I would recommend Rick's poetry book to those interested in looking out for a new poet of the 21st century - one who that appears to adore honeysuckle - which is not a bad thing.

DEAR LAMA ZOPA - LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE

RATING: A

Many things discussed in this book demonstrate the methods that I myself am learning and practicing. It serves as a reminder of how I should be dealing with the many disruptions to simple, peaceful living. The cure of aids and cancer through spiritual means rather than medical, assisting creatures by circumambulation around images and stupas, talking to bugs, etc, all stand out as 'right'.

I myself reject Western medicine and rely entirely upon herbal remedies, Ayurvedic/Tibetan medicine suggestions, and spiritual means to keep myself fit and get well again if ill, for example. It is great to read of another person who treats bugs and animals with respect and courtesy - as I am much laughed at for talking to birds and bugs and recognizing them as having certain rights. This book backs me up and shows me I am right rather than crazy to do what I can for those small creatures - especially seeing the mess we humans are making of the planet we all share.

The mention of a pigeon certainly caught my attention - one of my favored subjects and teachers. Many beings killed for each meal of food, even if we eat only vegetarian/vegan, is a reminder not to eat more than we need. This is something that perhaps I should pay attention to - for although I only eat 1.5 meals a day, my 2-3 courses are generally very large serves and I eat far more than is needed. Page 171 talks about spiritual harm - something I have been through courtesy of my ex and his family and that my son may still be going through due to the same source. It is something I must remain wary of for the rest of my current life.

I would reccommend this book to those with everyday modern problems that are willing to accept advice that works, even if it is not conventional.